Statistics Act changes don’t go far enough

A bill tabled this month does nothing to prevent a repeat of the uproar after the 2011 switch from mandatory to voluntary long-form census.

Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, pictured in June, introduced C-36, a bill to change the Statistics Act with an aim to reinforce Statistics Canada's independence, on Dec. 7.The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY WAYNE R. SMITH

December 19, 2016

OTTAWA—With the introduction of Bill C-36, An Act to Amend the Statistics Act, the government is moving forward on its commitment to “make Statistics Canada fully independent.” How does the draft legislation measure up to this goal and the expectations of key stakeholders? To begin, let me sa...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Tuesdays: Innovation & Industry Newsletter

The policies, decisions, and people working on investment and regulation in the industry and innovation realm.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy